Kai and The Last Chapters

[ABED]

I know there's a version of Kai that was even more cut down than the version we in the US got. Have any of you seen the shorter cut and how does it compare to version that was called The Last Chapters in the US?

[TechExpert2021]

The original Japanese version of Buu Kai cut down 8 more episodes than its TFC/international counterpart, reducing the total episode count of DB Kai (Japanese version) to 159, in comparison to the DBZ Kai (international version) which has a total of 167 episodes. The international version (DBZ Kai) from the Saiyan to Cell arcs (first 98 episodes) has the same episode numbering as the Japanese version (DB Kai).

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

There isn't really much difference between the two after the 25th Tenkaichi Budōkai, which is where most of the cutting was noticeable. The tournament goes by a bit too quick, much like Kai's Saiyan arc as there's about 6 less episodes.

The remainder of the run between the broadcast version of Kai's Boo arc and the international version is roughly the same with only 1 extra filler episode being cut.

There's also some aesthetic differences like artificial sharpening of the image, Super Boo having red eyes in the broadcast version and more OPs like Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go (which is used instead of Fight It Out!).

I don't recall if it was ever stated why two different versions were made, but I guess its because the Kai Boo arc was made for international audiences TOEI thought they might appreciate the extra padding, and as it was an afterthought for Japanese TV with the purpose of filling a timeslot that less episodes were needed.

Ironically it probably would of been better had Japan got The Final Chapters so Kai could have been on the air for longer and Super would have more time for pre-production. I doubt TOEI foresaw Super when they decided to bring Kai back though.

[OmegaRockman]

I actually watched the whole thing as it came out. After a few episodes, it's basically the same other than the aforementioned differences that Dragon Ball Ireland mentioned. Those first few episodes feel pretty breakneck though, and even resulted in some awkward music placements like when they used this infamous theme for Goku meeting Goten. Granted, the theme was also used when Goku returns in TFC, but the extra breathing room lets the music transition into a much more heartfelt track. They also cut the Mr. Satan movie, which I did really miss. Stuff like that makes me prefer TFC on the whole even with the extra filler (though I could've done without the reference to Goku falling to Hell, but that was in both versions so it's a problem no matter which version you watch). The extra redraws are nice though, and the biggest point in favor of the Japanese Cut are the OP and EDs. I like Fight it Out and Never Give Up well enough, but Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go feels much more like an actual follow-up to Dragon Soul and the new EDs are all bangers.

[Shintoki]

I actually watched the whole thing as it came out. After a few episodes, it's basically the same other than the aforementioned differences that Dragon Ball Ireland mentioned. Those first few episodes feel pretty breakneck though, and even resulted in some awkward music placements like when they used this infamous theme for Goku meeting Goten. Granted, the theme was also used when Goku returns in TFC, but the extra breathing room lets the music transition into a much more heartfelt track. They also cut the Mr. Satan movie, which I did really miss. Stuff like that makes me prefer TFC on the whole even with the extra filler (though I could've done without the reference to Goku falling to Hell, but that was in both versions so it's a problem no matter which version you watch). The extra redraws are nice though, and the biggest point in favor of the Japanese Cut are the OP and EDs. I like Fight it Out and Never Give Up well enough, but Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go feels much more like an actual follow-up to Dragon Soul and the new EDs are all bangers.

were there extra redraws on the JP version? sorry if this come off as an oblivious question

[TechExpert2021]

I actually watched the whole thing as it came out. After a few episodes, it's basically the same other than the aforementioned differences that Dragon Ball Ireland mentioned. Those first few episodes feel pretty breakneck though, and even resulted in some awkward music placements like when they used this infamous theme for Goku meeting Goten. Granted, the theme was also used when Goku returns in TFC, but the extra breathing room lets the music transition into a much more heartfelt track. They also cut the Mr. Satan movie, which I did really miss. Stuff like that makes me prefer TFC on the whole even with the extra filler (though I could've done without the reference to Goku falling to Hell, but that was in both versions so it's a problem no matter which version you watch). The extra redraws are nice though, and the biggest point in favor of the Japanese Cut are the OP and EDs. I like Fight it Out and Never Give Up well enough, but Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go feels much more like an actual follow-up to Dragon Soul and the new EDs are all bangers.

were there extra redraws on the JP version? sorry if this come off as an oblivious question

Buu Kai (as well as its international counterpart DBZ Kai TFC) never had any digitally redrawn scenes.

[OmegaRockman]

I actually watched the whole thing as it came out. After a few episodes, it's basically the same other than the aforementioned differences that Dragon Ball Ireland mentioned. Those first few episodes feel pretty breakneck though, and even resulted in some awkward music placements like when they used this infamous theme for Goku meeting Goten. Granted, the theme was also used when Goku returns in TFC, but the extra breathing room lets the music transition into a much more heartfelt track. They also cut the Mr. Satan movie, which I did really miss. Stuff like that makes me prefer TFC on the whole even with the extra filler (though I could've done without the reference to Goku falling to Hell, but that was in both versions so it's a problem no matter which version you watch). The extra redraws are nice though, and the biggest point in favor of the Japanese Cut are the OP and EDs. I like Fight it Out and Never Give Up well enough, but Kuu-Zen-Zetsu-Go feels much more like an actual follow-up to Dragon Soul and the new EDs are all bangers.

were there extra redraws on the JP version? sorry if this come off as an oblivious question

Buu Kai (as well as its international counterpart DBZ Kai TFC) never had any digitally redrawn scenes.

It did on at least one occasion. I said "redraws" to rule out any other occasions I may have missed or don't remember. Though I was mistaken about it being exclusive to the Japanese Cut: I just checked TFC and the redraw is there too.